License Plates

License plates belong to you, not the vehicle. Plates may be transferred to a replacement vehicle at our Public Service Office or by mail.

Remember to surrender your valid license plate if it is no longer in use to avoid possible driver's license suspension.

In the state of Florida, all license plates are required to be replaced every 10 years per section 320.06(1)(b), Florida Statutes. Once you have chosen a desired plate, visit the Motor Vehicle Registrations page to learn how to apply for a license plate and registration.

For questions regarding motor vehicle license plate tolls or toll violations, visit the department’s Toll-by-Plate Information section.

Replace a Stolen or Lost License Plate or Decal

Complete and submit form HSMV 83146 Application for Replacement License Plate, Validation Decal or Parking Permit with a copy of the registered owner’s valid driver license. If the decal or license plate was stolen, provide the law enforcement police report or agency card with the case number and a replacement will be issued at no fee.

Standard license plates are metal plates governed by section 320.06, Florida Statutes. We offer two standard license plate options: the ''Sunshine State'' plate and the ''In God We Trust'' plate.

Most Florida license plates can be personalized. Specialty license plates are also available. To learn more visit the Personalized and Specialty License Plate section.

In person at a motor vehicle service center
Via mail to a motor vehicle service center along with a request to cancel and recycle the license plate
In the event that a license plate is lost, destroyed or stolen, complete this affidavit and mail to a motor vehicle service center

Why returning plates should be important to you:

Financial responsibility sanctions can occur once insurance is dropped from the vehicle if the license plate is still actively registered and associated to your vehicle. Failure to surrender a valid license plate when your insurance is canceled or expires will result in suspension of your driver's license
When you dispose of a plate by turning it into a tax collector's office you will receive a receipt showing that the plate was surrendered. If the initial registration fee was paid for the vehicle that the plate was on, that receipt can then be used for credit toward a future vehicle registration to keep you from paying the initial registration fee when you purchase a new vehicle
So that scammers do not attach your plate to their vehicle and go through tolls, red light cameras, or be used on vehicles that are part of a crime. When this happens, the name and address on file will be yours

When a motor vehicle is required to be weighed for registration purposes
When a motor vehicle or motorcycle is required to have the vehicle identification number verified or the motor vehicle/motorcycle must be inspected to apply for a Florida Certificate of Title or for registration purposes

Thirty-day temporary license plates may be issued under the following circumstances:

Casual or private sale
For banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions which are not required to be licensed under the provisions of section 27, 320.77, or 320.771, Florida Statutes, but need temporary license plates to demonstrate repossessions for sale
When a motor vehicle, motorcycle or recreational vehicle is sold in this state to a resident of another state for registration in their home state and is not required to be registered under the provisions of section 320.38, Florida Statutes. Refer to TL-08 for required sales tax information
When an out-of-state resident, subject to registration in this state, must secure ownership documentation from their home state

Example: An individual from another state is moving to Florida and needs to get their title documentation from the other state to register and title their vehicle in Florida

For a vessel trailer dealer to issue upon the sale of a vessel trailer
For use on a commercial vehicle (heavy truck), even carrying a load, if the vehicle remains in Florida. Proof of Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) is required, unless purchased in the first 60 days. If the commercial vehicle is traveling out of state, a trip permit for International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is required. For more information visit Commercial Vehicle webpage.

Ninety-day temporary license plate may be issued under the following circumstance:

To a customer upon application for a personalized or special license plate, while the license plate is being manufactured
Customer who is temporarily employed in Florida.

Section 320.131(5), Florida Statutes, any person who knowingly and willfully abuses or misuses temporary tag issuance to avoid registering a vehicle requiring registration commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Section 320.131(6), Florida Statutes, any person who knowingly and willfully issues a temporary tag or causes another to issue a temporary tag to a fictitious person or entity to avoid disclosure of the true owner of a vehicle commits a felony of the third degree.

If you feel you may be eligible for a temporary license plate, inquire at a motor vehicle service center.

Kids Tag Art (KTA) is an educational fundraising project that benefits elementary visual arts programs in local elementary schools. The program gives fifth grade students an opportunity to create a unique design that can be made into a front-end license plate, patterned after Florida's hundreds of specialty license plates. These license plates become available for purchase by family members, friends and the community. Students learn how Florida specialty license plates support various worthy causes across the state. All proceeds are distributed to participating elementary school teachers for their classroom art supplies. Learn more.